ASUR 1Q15 Passenger Traffic Up 12.35% YOY

MEXICO CITY, April 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: ASR; BMV: ASUR), (ASUR) the first privatized airport group in Mexico and operator of Cancun Airport and eight other airports in southeast Mexico, as well as a 50% JV partner in Aerostar Airport Holdings, LLC, operator of the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, today announced results for the three month period ended March 31, 2015.

1Q15 Highlights¹:

• EBITDA² increased by 20.21% to Ps. 1,143.22 million
• Total passenger traffic was up 12.35%
• Total revenues increased by 29.89%, reflecting increases of 17.02% in aeronautical revenues, 18.83% in non-aeronautical revenues, and 815.70% in construction services revenues
• Commercial revenues per passenger increased by 5.95% to Ps.82.59
• Operating profit increased by 22.61%
• EBITDA margin decreased to 63.63% from 68.76% in 1Q14.

1. Unless otherwise stated, all financial figures discussed in this announcement are unaudited, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and represent comparisons between the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 and the equivalent three-month period ended March 31, 2014.  Results are expressed in pesos. Tables state figures in thousands of pesos, unless otherwise noted. Passenger figures exclude transit and general aviation passengers. Commercial revenues include revenues from non-permanent ground transportation and parking lots. All U.S. dollar figures are calculated at the exchange rate of US$1.00 = Ps.15.2647.
2. EBITDA means net income before: provision for taxes, deferred taxes, profit sharing, non-ordinary items, participation in the results of associates, comprehensive financing cost and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income, as an indicator of our operating performance or as an alternative to cash flow as an indicator of liquidity. Our management believes that EBITDA provides a useful measure that is widely used by investors and analysts to evaluate our performance and compare it with other companies. EBITDA is not defined under U.S. GAAP or IFRS and may be calculated differently by different companies.

Passenger Traffic

Total passenger traffic for the first quarter of 2015 increased year-over-year by 12.35%, reflecting increases of 16.60% in domestic passenger traffic and 10.02% in international passenger traffic.

The 16.60% growth in domestic passenger traffic was driven by increases at all of ASUR's airports. The 10.02% growth in international passenger traffic resulted mainly from an increase of 10.84% in traffic at Cancun airport.

Consolidated Results for 1Q15

Total revenues for 1Q15 increased year-over-year by 29.89% to Ps.1,796.60 million. This was mainly due to increases of:

• 17.02% in revenues from aeronautical services, mainly as a result of the 12.35% increase in passenger traffic;
• 18.83% in revenues from non-aeronautical services, principally reflecting the 19.08% increase in commercial revenues detailed below.
• 815.70% in revenues from construction services that resulted from higher capital expenditures and other investments in concessioned assets during the period.

ASUR classifies commercial revenues as those derived from the following activities: duty-free stores, car rentals, retail operations, banking and currency exchange services, advertising, teleservices, non-permanent ground transportation, food and beverage, and parking lot fees.

Commercial revenues increased by 19.08% year-over-year during 1Q15, mainly driven by the 12.35% increase in total passenger traffic. There were increases in revenues from the following activities:

• 22.05% in retail operations;
• 8.77% in duty free;
• 24.85% in food and beverage;
• 38.57% in other revenue;
• 19.43% in car rental revenues;
• 14.40% in advertising;
• 20.41% in parking lot fees;
• 15.85% in banking and currency exchange services;
• 26.05% in ground transportation; and
• 34.25% in teleservices.

 

 

Construction revenues and expenses. ASUR is required by IFRIC 12 to include in its income statement an income line reflecting the income from construction or improvements to concessioned assets made during the relevant period. During 1Q15, ASUR recognized Ps.193.33 million in revenues from "Construction Services," a 815.70% year-on-year increase reflecting higher capital expenditures in concessioned assets. The same amount is recognized under the expense line "Construction Costs" because ASUR hires third parties to provide construction services.

Because equal amounts of Construction Revenues and Construction Expenses have been included in ASUR's income statement as a result of the application of IFRIC 12, this does not have an impact on EBITDA, but it does have an impact on EBITDA margin, as the increase in revenues that results from an increase in construction services revenues is matched with a corresponding increase in construction costs.

Total operating costs and expenses for 1Q15 rose 41.08% year-over-year, primarily due to the following increases:

• 815.70% in construction costs, reflecting higher levels of capital improvements made to concessioned assets during the period;
• 31.58% in administrative expenses, principally reflecting social security contributions, as well as lower professional fees in 1Q14 resulting from the reversal of the expense provision in connection with the Master Development Plan.
• 18.80% in concession fees paid to the Mexican government, mainly due to an increase in regulated revenues (a factor in the calculation of the fee); and
• 20.18% in the technical assistance fee paid to ITA, reflecting the increase in EBITDA for the quarter (a factor in the calculation of the fee);
• 5.77% in cost of services, mainly due to higher maintenance expenses as well as the increase in cost of sales derived from the opening of another convenience store in Cancun airport directly operated by ASUR.
• 2.38% in depreciation and amortization, resulting mainly from capitalized investments.

Operating margin for the quarter declined to 57.19% from 60.59% in 1Q14, as the 29.82% rise in revenues was more than offset by the 41.08% increase in expenses during the period.

Comprehensive Financing Gain (Loss) for 1Q15 was a Ps.18.48 million loss, compared to a Ps.2.50 million gain in 1Q14.  This was mainly the result of a Ps.35.18 million foreign exchange loss in 1Q15 due to the 3.55% depreciation of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar on ASUR's foreign currency net liability position as compared to an appreciation of 0.23% in 1Q14 that resulted in a Ps.0.40 million loss.

In addition, in 1Q15 ASUR recorded a Ps.58.08 million gain in stockholders' equity resulting from the translation effect of Aerostar's financial statements (which are denominated in U.S. dollars), in connection with the valuation of the shareholders' equity derived from the depreciation of the peso against the U.S. dollar.

Income (Loss) from Equity Investment in Joint Venture.

During 1Q15, our equity in the income of Aerostar, our joint venture with Highstar Capital IV and its affiliated funds, was a net gain of Ps.32.53 million. In addition, ASUR recorded a Ps.58.08 million gain in stockholders' equity resulting from the translation effect of Aerostar's financial statements (which are denominated in U.S. dollars), in connection with the valuation of the shareholder's equity derived from the depreciation of the peso against the U.S. dollar in 1Q15. In 1Q14, ASUR reported a net gain of Ps.10.55 million from our equity in the income of Aerostar and a Ps.3.26 million loss in stockholders' equity resulting from the translation effect of Aerostar's financial statements in connection with the valuation of the shareholders' equity derived from the appreciation of the peso against the U.S. dollar.

During 1Q15, total passenger traffic at SJU airport increased 1.00% to 2,179,396 from 2,159,166 in 1Q14.

Income Taxes.

On January 1, 2014, a comprehensive Income Tax Law reform package entered into effect, repealing the IETU tax and causing the cancellation of deferred IETU. As a result, ASUR completed a financial valuation of its subsidiaries that were subject to this tax and now must recognize a deferred income tax.

Income taxes for 1Q15 increased by Ps.80.61 million year-over-year, principally due to the following factors:

• A Ps.83.85 million increase in the provision for income taxes, reflecting a higher taxable income base at the Veracruz and Cancun airports.
• A Ps.2.19 million decline in deferred income taxes reflecting the recognition of the effects of inflation in the fiscal tax balance.

Net income for 1Q15 increased by 17.32% to Ps.744.26 million from Ps.634.38 million in 1Q14. Earnings per common share for the quarter were Ps.2.4809, or earnings per ADS (EPADS) of US$1.6252 (one ADS represents ten series B common shares). This compares with earnings per share of Ps. 2.1146, or EPADS of US$1.3853, for the same period last year. This reflects the 12.35% increase in passenger traffic as well as a gain of Ps.32.52 million in 1Q15 corresponding to ASUR's participation in Aerostar, the joint venture to operate SJU airport, compared to a gain of Ps.10.55 million reported in the same period in 2014.

Tariff Regulation

The Mexican Ministry of Communications and Transportation regulates the majority of ASUR's activities by setting maximum rates, which represent the maximum possible revenues allowed per traffic unit at each airport.

ASUR's regulated revenues for 1Q15 were Ps.1,242.93 million, resulting in an annual average tariff per workload unit of Ps.184.10. ASUR's regulated revenues accounted for approximately 69.18% of total income for the period.

The Mexican Ministry of Communications and Transportation reviews compliance with the maximum rates on an annual basis at the close of each year.

Balance Sheet

On March 31, 2015, airport concessions represented 66.20% of the Company's total assets, with current assets representing 18.98% and other assets representing 14.82%.

Cash and cash equivalents on March 31, 2015 were Ps.3,704.70 million, a 29.74% increase from the Ps.2,855.36 million in cash and cash equivalents recorded on March 31, 2014.

Shareholders' equity at the close of 1Q15 was Ps.19,553.44 million and total liabilities were Ps.5,409.93 million, representing 78.33% and 21.67% of total assets, respectively. Deferred liabilities represented 29.40% of the Company's total liabilities.

Total bank debt at on March 31, 2015 was Ps.3,278.63 million, including Ps.3.27 million in accrued interest and commissions.

Capital Expenditures

During 1Q15, ASUR made investments of Ps.153.63 million as part of ASUR's ongoing plan to modernize its airports pursuant to its master development plans.

Analyst Coverage
In accordance with Mexican Stock Exchange Internal Rules Article 4.033.01, ASUR informs that the stock is covered by the following broker-dealers: Actinver Casa de Bolsa, Barclays, BBVA Bancomer, Bofa Merril Lynch, Citi Investment Research, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Grupo Bursatil Mexicano, Grupo Financiero Interacciones, Grupo Financiero Monex, HSBC, Intercam Casa de Bolsa, Itau BBA, INVEX, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Morningstar, Santander Investment, Scotia Capital, UBS Casa de Bolsa and Vector.

Please note that any opinions, estimates or forecasts regarding the performance of ASUR issued by these analysts reflect their own views, and therefore do not represent the opinions, estimates or forecasts of ASUR or its management. Although ASUR may refer to or distribute such statements, this does not imply that ASUR agrees with or endorses any information, conclusions or recommendations included therein.

About ASUR:
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. (ASUR) is a Mexican airport operator with concessions to operate, maintain and develop the airports of Cancun, Merida, Cozumel, Villahermosa, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Huatulco, Tapachula and Minatitlan in the southeast of Mexico, as well as a 50% JV partner in Aerostar Airport Holdings, LLC, operator of the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport of Puerto Rico. The Company is listed both on the NYSE in the U.S., where it trades under the symbol ASR, and on the Mexican Bolsa, where it trades under the symbol ASUR. One ADS represents ten (10) Series B shares.

Some of the statements contained in this press release discuss future expectations or state other forward-looking information. Those statements are subject to risks identified in this press release and in ASUR's filings with the SEC. Actual developments could differ significantly from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information is based on various factors and was derived using numerous assumptions. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and, except as may be required by applicable law, we do not have an obligation to update or revise them, whether as a result of new information, future or otherwise.

SOURCE Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V.